explore the Historic Centre of Sheki

The historic centre of the fascinating city of Sheki is a state historical and architectural reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the northern part of the city at the foot of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, this is where the distant past lingers. Cobblestone streets, original buildings, traditional caravanserais and old artisan workshops transport you back to the times of the Great Silk Road. 

Evidence of the wealth and prosperity brought to the city by the development of silk production can still be seen. The most grandiose structure is Sheki Fortress, the former citadel of the Sheki khanate (1743-1819). Within these crenelated walls are an abundance of attractions, the most famous of which is Sheki Khan’s Palace. This exquisite building, surrounded by 500-year-old plane trees, was built in the early 1760s as the administrative building of the khans. Admire the luxurious façade and interior of the palace, whose walls are richly decorated with paintings and intricate patterns, and marvel at the stunning stained-glass ‘shebeke’ windows, crafted from small wooden pieces filled with thousands of coloured glass fragments, without the use of glue or nails. 

Inside the fortress, visitors can explore the collections of small but fascinating museums, such as the Museum of Folk and Applied Arts, and view unique examples of local craftsmanship at the House of Craftsmen, the ABAD Ceramics and Applied Arts Centre and the Shebeke Workshop. 

There is also a plethora of attractions outside the fortress, including the house museums of prominent figures of Azerbaijani literature Mirza Fatali Akhundzadeh and Bakhtiyar Vahabzade, Shekikhanovs’ House (the elegant residence of the Sheki khans) and the 18th-century Upper Caravanserai, which today functions as a hotel where you can feel like a medieval traveller and enjoy traditional tea. 

In addition, opposite the Upper Caravanserai is Yurd Yaddashi Miniature Museum, where visitors can learn about the fascinating history of Sheki. The museum displays models y local artisans of unique monuments and fortresses, offering guests the opportunity to learn about the lifestyle of the area and the lives of notable figures from Sheki.